“I have no doubt about that. If it’s one thing a Black mama gon’ do is protect her son,” Nyair said, laughing.
Lauren caught herself staring at him as he walked back over to the team and the assistant coach. Nyair was built like the ex-football player that he was. With thighs that held power that used to run in touchdowns, and an ass that made housewives everywhere tune in for football Sunday even though they didn’t understand one thing. His arms stuck out of the Nike tank like boulders.
“What up, Lo? Sorry, I’m late. Traffic on 75 was crazy.”
Demi’s voice jarred her and she damn near jumped out of her skin. Had she been staring? She turned to him nervously, feeling as if she had been caught cheating.
“It’s fine; they’re just starting,” she said.
She took a seat on the bottom bleacher, bypassing the other parents. Demi followed suit, speaking to a gentleman in the stands he knew.
“What’s good, boss, you a’ight?” He said, shaking hands in a way that made men did that let everyone in the room know they wore invisible crowns.
“Everything’s everything,” he replied.
She was used to seeing his wife at his side, but today the seat was empty. She didn’t speak on it. Everyone knew what had happened. The Okafors had gone through a lot.
“I’m praying for you,” Lauren said, speaking up. “Your baby girl is beautiful.”
She glanced down at the car seat where his newborn baby slept soundly.
“I can’t take credit for that. She has her mother’s face,” Ethic said. “I’m grateful for that much.”
Lauren gave a sympathetic smile and then turned forward as awkward energy danced through her.
It only took one play for Demi to stand up. He was the ultimate sideline dad, coaching and barking commands from his position and clapping his hands boisterously as he paced the edge of the field. Lauren hated that she loved him still. After everything he had done, after everything she had put up with over the years, he still felt like hers. This practice felt like a normal Thursday night. They felt like a family, and if she could freeze time in this exact moment, she would.
She had taken their threesome for granted. Building a business had taken her attention and her time many nights when she should have been pouring into her family. It would be her greatest regret for as long as she lived because somehow, along the road to success, her family had suffered. It was true. A woman just couldn’t have it all, and Lauren was the prime example of that. Love and power for women may as well be a myth. The two entities couldn’t co-exist without destroying a happy home.
She sat submerged in deep thought for the entire practice, and it wasn’t until she heard the sharp whistle that ended practice did she snap out of it.
DJ ran off the field, carrying his helmet.
“Did you see my sack, Dad?!”
He was on a natural high as he and Demi fell into their routine. A secret handshake before Demi pulled his son’s head into his chest, cupping the back of his neck proudly before delivering a kiss to the top of DJ’s sweaty scalp.
“I saw. You did what needed to be done out there, boi. Good shit. I’m proud of you,” Demi said. The monster smiled. Very few people got him to show teeth. DJ’s yardage and his defense thisevening had pulled the pride right out of this gangster. “Tell your mama bye, you rolling with me for the weekend.”
“Mannn, do I have to?” DJ asked.
“No, you don’t have to go anyplace you’re uncomfortable,” Lauren said, interrupting as she stood.
“Quit putting that in his head, Lo. That ain’t cool,” Demi objected. “He’s fine. He’s with me. Wherever I lay my head is his space too, he ain’t got shit to be uncomfortable about. My home is his home. I’ll bring him back Sunday.”
“No, it’s not his home, Demi. You can’t force your new situation on him. If he don’t like it there, he don’t like it there!”
She could feel her anger mounting. She couldn’t even mention Charlie’s name. Most days she referred to the girl as “that bitch;” today, she was a “situation.” She hated having to extend her son to Demi. It felt like they were walking away with her life, giving it to Charlie, sharing quality time, and making memories, and enjoying fits of laughter without her. DJ and Demi were still one. Lauren felt like the odd man out.
“It’s fine, Ma, I’ll go,” DJ conceded.
Demi glared at her, brow tense in irritation before steering DJ away.
Lauren stared hopelessly as they got further and further from her. They were almost at the door when DJ turned around and ran back to her.
“Hey, Ma! Don’t forget to let Coach Ny know about the dish you’ll bring. It’s okay if you don’t want to do the mac and cheese. He has the sign-up sheet. I love you!”
His hug was a Band-Aid to her soul, and then he was gone, racing back to his father before they pushed out the metal doors into the night.
